2018 November - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 📝
November 6, 2018
Responding: Stephen Janes, A.J. Fairbanks, Katy Rogers, Sonja Magdevski, Peter Work, Callie Gleason, Karen Steinwachs, Justin Willett
Item 1: Hoop House Ordinance
o Stephen Janes, President of the Board of Directors sent following e-mail to make a motion to act on Hoop House Ordinance & Cannabis:
Dear Board Members:
I hope this e-mail finds you well. I am writing today in regards to Hoop Houses. This subject has suddenly become a priority for the Board. We have been getting calls, e-mails, and visits to the Santa Barbara Vintners office regarding the Hoop Houses and how they are intertwined with cannabis. Although they are technically two different items of regulation, I think it is our duty as Board Members to alert the Membership to the Hoop House issues and take a position on something that is already impacting the region and will have potential long term consequences for our entire industry. Our Mission Statement is “To celebrate, share and protect the majesty* of Santa Barbara Wine Country.” Like the Winery Ordinance, I think this issue merits us voicing our collective opinion and getting others involved.
Here is what we have received thus far from our members:
-Hoop Houses are popping up more and more and starting to encroach on my property
-They are beginning to affect the aesthetics of our picturesque county
-The air is filled with a skunk like smell throughout Santa Rosa Road and parts of Route 246 that are affecting our tasting room
-Cannabis farmers are injuring and/or killing historic oaks with the roads they grade on their property
-Water drainage from hoop structures are flooding my property and altering my land
-The owners of the cannabis farms are not cooperating with us
-Cannabis farmers are going beyond their permits, and some are farming without permits
There will be a meeting regarding the Hoop Structure Ordinance On November 7, 2018, 9am, at Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria. Alison has met with the County Supervisors, as well as our members, regarding this issue.
As President of the Board of Directors, I would like to make a motion that the Santa Barbara Vintners take a stand during the formation of the regulatory ordinances of Hoop Houses and cannabis that protects the long term viability and majesty of the wine industry. Please respond today by 4pm by voting YEA or NAY on whether we can act on this issue or not. Thank you for your swift attention to this matter.
If you would like to do some research, follow the link below:
County of Santa Barbara Planning and Development: Hoop Structures Ordinance Amendment
Votes on Motion:
Stephen Janes: Yea
A.J. Fairbanks: Yea
Peter Work: Yea
Karen Steinwachs: Yea
Justin Willett: Yea
Katy Rogers: Yea
Sonja Magdevski: Yea
Callie Gleason: Yea
Motion Approved: Santa Barbara Vintners will take action on the Hoop House Ordinance and Cannabis